Summer is almost officially here for half the world and with it comes all types of summer activities like movies, concerts, and sports. Tickets for these events aren't always cheap (often they're unwieldy), but with a few tips you can save money on tickets of all types.

Finding cheap entertainment is all about knowing where to look, but it's also about patience. With movies it's not as much of a crapshoot, but sporting events and concerts require a bit more digging. Let's start with tracking down cheap movie tickets to get out of the sun and into some air conditioning.

Get the Cheapest Movie Tickets Possible

Traditionally the cheapest way to see a movie is to go in the early afternoon, but not all of us can hit up a cheap midweek matinee. Instead, it takes a little finagling and searching.

One simple trick you can do is to sign up for free advanced screenings of movies. These are usually a few days before the initial release and don't require anything of you but the ability to show up at the theater at a specific time.

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If you prefer to choose your own movies and times it's time to start digging for discount codes. Ticket seller Fandango has a ton of deals going on this summer that can get you cheap tickets for online orders. If those deals aren't applicable anymore your other option is to search coupon sites like Fat Wallet or Retail Me Not for tickets. However you decide to do it you shouldn't have any trouble saving a little cash at the movie theater. Photo by Nicole Abalde.

Find Cheap Concert and Sports Tickets Regardless of When You Buy Them

Summer tickets for concerts or baseball games can get pricey really fast, but finding cheap tickets for both isn't as hard you'd think. You essentially have two different methods: purchase them right when they go on sale and the slightly riskier but usually cheaper trick of waiting to buy them second-hand. Let's start with how to get tickets cheap right when they go on sale.

Buy Direct from the Box Office to Avoid Service Fees

If you're unwilling to take the risk on waiting out cheap tickets for fear an event might sell out you can still usually score tickets for a reasonable price if you know where to go.

In a lot of cases you can skip the service charge imposed by the likes of Ticketmaster by heading directly to the venue to purchase them. Most larger music venues and stadiums have a box office where you can purchase tickets directly. This isn't always the case, but if it's an option to you it's a great way to avoid the ridiculous service charges that come when you order tickets online.

It also works when tickets are supposedly sold out. Oftentimes stadiums and venues will release extra tickets the day of the show or game and all you need to do is show up at the box office when they open. Photo by Ed Siasoco.

Buy Tickets Used from Real People for the Ultimate Deals

If you prefer to get a discount then it's time to look for individuals who might be selling tickets. As you get closer to the date of the event look on Craigslist for people selling tickets. Sports and concert tickets are no different than anything else on Craigslist, so be sure you know the tricks for not getting screwed when buying on Craigslist.

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As CNET points out the benefit of buying tickets on Craigslist is that you're usually just buying them from fans who have a scheduling conflict and want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Better still are season ticket holders who simply can't make a game and are often willing to part ways with tickets cheap. To save the most money wait until the last minute and buy tickets the day before or day of the event. Just make sure you set aside some time to meet up with the person selling them ahead of time. The same goes for amusement park tickets. If all else fails you can take a look at ticket brokers.

The Best Ways to Score Tickets from Brokers

As NPR recently pointed out the idea that concerts sell out is mostly just an illusion. Scalpers and ticket brokers grab tickets up faster than most fans do and if you're willing to risk the possibility of not going you can almost always get tickets cheap by waiting it out.

When tickets first go on sale they'll be expensive through ticket brokers, but as the event gets closer they'll drop in price provided the demand isn't too high. You can search a number of brokers at once with a site like Ticketwood that aggregates deals from the likes of StubHub, RazorGator, and Ticketsnow. While you'll often be able to find cheap tickets close to the event date from these sites one thing to keep in mind is that many still have a service charge. It's not usually as high as what Ticketmaster charges, but it's good to be aware of it. If you can hold out until the day before or day of an event you'll likely save money on tickets. It's not often not your best option, but if an event doesn't sell as well as it's supposed to you'll find cheap deals.

Summertime fun doesn't have to break the bank and provided you're willing to work for it a little you get tickets for all types of events cheap. Have your own tricks for the frugal entertainment shopper? Share them in the comments.